Behind the Scenes at the Emmy Nominee Party With Derek Hough, Jim Parsons, and the Cast of Modern Family

Hard to believe, but we are only one month away from the Primetime Emmys. Last night the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences held its Performers Peer Group Reception to honor those nominees who aren't currently on vacation or filming, and it was a soiree not to be missed.

Derek Hough revealed that he will officially be back on Dancing With the Stars this fall. As for who he'll be paired with? We won't know that until September 4 (according to Derek, even he doesn't know).

*Glamour *reader Dee LoLo had a pressing question for the double Emmy nominee:

Hough's response? "I'll be doing a bit of both. All of us fellow nominees and all of us fellow choreographers are doing a big piece. Neil will be a part of it. He'll be in it. I'll be performing in it. We're very excited. We've been brainstorming ideas about music and ideas."

You'd think Derek has all the confidence in the world, but he joked that he'll be wearing Depends on Emmy night. "I'll be anxious about doing something stupid, or saying something, or giving a weird look at a certain time, or falling, because now that there is dancing involved, there's a lot of things that could happen." Derek, I'm sure you'll be just fine. (Here we are later in the night: I adore this guy and miss our weekly DWTS sessions!).

Meanwhile, I know you guys all want to know what's going to happen on Scandal this year, and I got some interesting tidbits from Emmy nominee Dan Bucatinsky. "[The premiere] will take place 15 minutes after the finale ended. We're going to explore the relationship between Olivia and her father. James and Cyrus' relationship will be tumultuous and challenging this season, both professionally and personally. In that first episode, we will also find out who leaked the information that Olivia Pope is the mistress of the President." Our Phoebe is drooling already.

Taryn Manning was also there, and the Orange Is the New Black actress admitted to me that her friends are calling her Pennsatucky now. As for the show itself, the cast is already shooting season two, but she was tight-lipped on any spoilers.

Scott Bakula (Behind the Candelabra) joined Jim Parsons, Sofia Vergara, and Jane Fonda for a celebratory photo. Scott and I are St. Louis natives, so as soon as we saw each other tonight, he caught me up on the latest St. Louis Cardinals score (if only Missouri native Brad Pitt were a fan!).